DART leader wants to ban anti-bus ads on benches

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The general manager of Des Moines’ transit system wants the city to ban advertisements on bus stop benches that encourage people to buy a vehicle rather than ride the bus.

Elizabeth Presutti of the Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority asked officials in a letter last month to update city code to ensure future advertisements don’t send a conflicting message about riding the bus. She requested the city prohibit anti-transit advertising similar to how it doesn’t allow the marketing of alcohol and night clubs.

The Des Moines Register reports (http://dmreg.co/1eKeWGY ) Presutti’s letter was in response to advertisements by J.D. Byrider, a used-car dealership franchise based in Indiana. A spokeswoman says the company has used transit advertisement in other markets without any issue.